The local/Lebanese Arabian Construction Company (ACC) has been awarded the estimated AED500m ($136m) contract to build the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan mosque in Al-Ain, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The early design documents in 2010 showed that the main feature of the new mosque is a 160-metre-wide dome that will cover the main prayer hall and four 120-metre-tall minarets, two next to the mosque and two at the entrance to the site. The complex also includes other buildings for ablution, classrooms and offices, as well as underground parking.

The total built-up area is about 32,000 square metres, of which 14,500 sq m will be for the mosque.

The architect is the local Bayaty, the engineering consultant is the local office of KEO International Consultants, and the project manager is the UK’s EC Harris.

The scheme was first revealed in late 2010 and early 2011, and contractors were invited to express interest in the piling and shoring package. The project was subsequently delayed by a review of major projects that slowed the pace of development in Abu Dhabi until late last year.

The development is the latest major construction contract to be awarded in Al-Ain this month. In early December, Abu Dhabi General Services (Musanada) has awarded an AED4.4bn ($1.2bn) contract to build the New Al-Ain hospital to a consortium of the local Arabtec Construction and Spain’s Constructora San Jose.

Spread over an area of 358,000 square metres, the 719-bed hospital will provide for general medicine, surgery, and have a dedicated children’s ward, as well as maternity, intensive care unit (ICU), medical rehabilitation, VIP patients and royal suites.

An award is also expected soon for the contract to build the estimated AED1.4bn Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Centre (Ammroc) for Mubadala Aersopace on the outskirts of Al-Ain.

The Ammroc facility will be located at Mubdala Aerospace’s Nibras al-Ain Aersopace Park. The Nibras park is being developed in nine phases, will cover a total area of 25 square kilometres and is expected to create 10,000 jobs by 2030.